RRVA News Red River Valley Square and Round Dance Association

www.rrvsda.org

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Square Dance Land

812 Travis, Wichita Falls, TX

DATE CLUB PLACE CALLER

Dec 31, 2015/Jan 1, 2016

Grand March at 9 p.m.

RRVA New Year’s Eve

Dance

SDL Freddie McKee

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District Callers Robert and Pam Walker

Swinging Stars & Levi and Lace

903 Tage Rd.

940-872-3755

Bowie, TX 76230 pamwalker999@yahoo.com

Dee and Janice Roy

Wichita Falls Solos

359 Crow Trace

940-782-2823

Henrietta, TX 76365 dewainRoy@yahoo.com

Mike Bramlett

Wichita Falls Wranglers

2906 Bonanza Ln

972-696-8177

Garland, TX 75042 SqDncClr@aol.com

Tim and Lou Tanner

RRVA Clubs

4500 Kenwood

940-696-9756

Wichita Falls, TX 76310 tltanner.sdc@gmail.com

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Greg Ward

Sue Bartlett

Betty Hansard

Brad Whitaker

Ernestine Brock

Robert Fenoglio

Linda Salmon

Rita Gray

Jim Hansard

Joan Dorman

Barbara Martini

Ardella Johnson

Raymond Hager

Haley Steflik

Marianne Patillo

Marguerite Gray

Gary White

Dan Daily

Dee Roy

Carol Hansard

Tommy & Debbie Moore

Kevin & Janie Connors

Vallee & Carolyn Graves

Stephen & Rosa San Miguel

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Helen Graf

Nancy Gillespie

Kim Peterson

Mike Bramlett

David Sewell

Betty Hillard

Billie Gore

Mary Carson

Ruby Biggs

Nancy Cravens

Max Yancey

Marie Walls

Ray Shinpaugh

Robert Walker

Jim & Rita Gray

John & Mary Carson

Bob & Brenda Hardy

Wayne & Linda Salmon

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From the Desk of the Presidents

Newsletter from the Presidents November-December, 2015

As I sit down to write this, I am praising the Lord for the rain falling on our parched land. Forecasts are calling for plentiful amounts and cooler weather. We are all looking forward to the holiday season with all the excitement it brings. Many of our clubs have been enjoying dancing the last couple of months. A great group was in attendance at the Texas State Federation of Square and Round Dancers Presidents’ Dance hosted at Square Dance Land. Each night there were more than 120 in attendance. Many of you were so willing to help and provide food. We appreciate each of you for stepping up. Seeing the hall filled with dancers, made our hearts smile with gladness. Prior to the TSFSRD Presidents’ Dance, Bob Hardy and Wayne Salmon worked on repairs in the men and ladies’ restrooms. Give them a big “thank you” next time you see them. More work is needed and plans are being made. Looking forward to the next couple of months, we have plans in place for the Halloween Dance on Oct. 31. (You might be reading this prior to the dance). Our local RRVA callers will be calling. All of our clubs will be hosting dances in November with fall and Thanksgiving themes. Come December we will begin seeing Christmas themes. Check your calendars for changes in some of the clubs dance nights. Don’t forget we will be having our New Year’s Eve Dance at the hall on December 31, 2015 as we “DANCE IN’ 2016. Freddie McKee, who always calls a fun dance, will be the caller. The New Year’s Dance will begin at 9:00 pm. Be sure to attend our local clubs’ dances and get to know each other as well as polish up on your square dancing. We see many who visit other clubs and see the progress these new dancers are making. They begin to feel comfortable dancing with new people and different callers.

Looking forward to seeing YOU in a square!

Yellow Rocks to all.

Wayne and Linda Salmon

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Levis & Lace Back in the saddle again – that’s the Levis and Lace Plus Club – after having canceled

our October dance due to the State President’s Dance – but weren’t the two evenings of

dancing grand!

We’ll be starting off with our annual Plus Workshop beginning October 26! The Plus

Workshop is for anyone who’s completed mainstream lessons and wants to learn plus, in

addition to all of us who’ve been through the lessons and want to brush up and get really

svelte at the moves! Since this newsletter won’t be out until after the first lesson, I want to

assure you that the 2nd or even the 3rd lesson is probably not too late to start. They’ll be every

Monday evening at the Hall from 7:30 to 9:30. Everyone donates $4.00 at the door to cover

the cost of the building and our caller, Robert Walker. We’ll graduate our new plus dancers on

Monday evening, December 28.

And, our regular dances will resume on the first Friday in November – the 6th, with Tim

Tanner calling; and again on the first Friday in December – the 4th, with Robert Walker calling.

You don’t want to miss the dances – we’re the only plus club between Fort Worth and

Oklahoma City.

Richard and Louise Morton, long time members of Levis and Lace from Grandfield,

Oklahoma, have had to drop out of square dancing due to Richard’s health problems, but

they can sometimes be seen at the Zone, so give them a good ole square dance yellow rock if

you run into them.

Our hearts go out to Anna Marie Bogart and her family in the passing of her much-

loved grandmother and to Barbara Standley and the Solos in the passing of Leonard Lowry,

president extraordinaire! We want to also extend our sincere condolences to the family and

friends of the lovely Rosemary Brooks, former round dancer and Roadrunner member.

Don’t forget – FIRST FRIDAYS ARE FOR LEVIS & LACE DANCES.

We want to dance with you!

Sandra and Jerry Whatley

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Swinging Stars Well, what do you think about the current fall season? Aren’t the cool breezes and recent

rainfall a blessing? Now, if only we can keep any winter storms at bay for a while, we can

enjoy upcoming night parades and the subsequent colorful, festive, holiday season.

A “Big Howdy” to all of the thirteen New Dancers who have joined the ‘Stars family. Be

sure to welcome: Frankie Coggin, Jim Finley, Charley Luxton, Phyllis Matlock, Whitney Snow,

Newman Wong, Mindy Washburn, Julie Bailey, Angel Bishop, Suzanne Storey, Tommy Yowell,

Marlissa Gibbs, Garry Davis. Of course last but not least welcome Gene Moore who has

rejoined the club. Give them all a big Yellow Rock the next time you see them in a square.

Also, the ‘Stars would like to thank all of the Angels who have been assisting with the

instruction at our Fall lessons. And last, but not least, a Big Thanks to Robert and Pam for

their fabulous job instructing the New Dancers through the movements. We are greatly

indebted to you for your fine work.

The Stars early September Mystery Night dance (Who Done It?) and the 53rd Anniversary

were fun events indeed, lots of beautiful decorations, colorful dancers and plenty of fun.

We’d like to thank all those who helped put on the events. They were truly memorable events

indeed!

We’re looking forward to all of the upcoming holiday dances this Fall/Winter. Stars'

dances are regularly held on 2nd and 4th Saturdays at the Square Dance Land hall. Of

particular mention is our “Early Thanksgiving” dance on November 12th, then our

“Absolutely-No-Turkey” dance following Thanksgiving on November 28th and lastly the

“Mistletoe, Holly and Wassail” dance on December 12th. There WILL NOT BE A DANCE on

December 26th, at least down at the Hall…. (grin). Of course we can’t leave out the RRVA

Halloween dance. Weren’t the costumes scary (or not) and absolutely hilarious!

“Also, don’t forget the ‘Stars Christmas Party. It’ll be held on Thursday, December 10th,

6:30, at Coyote Ranch Resort off of the Henrietta highway. Terry & Brenda, Jeff & Perry, Bill &

Sharon and Stephen & Rosa are putting the party together for us. They have some fabulous

activates along with Christmas carols planned. You will need your reservation and payment

for dinner to Judy McMillian no later than November 28th.

We’d like to thank all of those who help with the manning of the ‘Stars table at the Texas

Oklahoma Fair, the Farmer’s Market and the Gun Show at the MPEC. They did a great job

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selling ‘Stars Discount Cards. Also thanks to all the folks who helped out with our exhibition

dance in Henrietta for Pioneer Days. Thanks to all for their help. We thank Dee Roy for calling

the exhibition. The kids loved it. He included them in everything we did.

Thanks again to Jim & Chesta for organizing the fellowship and good food that was had by

all at the Birthday and Anniversary Dinners at El Chico. If you have a special place you’d like

to attend, be sure to give them and call and let them know fine job indeed.

It take $$$$ to run a club. We wouldn’t have enough money if it wasn’t for Robert

Fenoglio organizing the fund raising and keeping us all on track. Thanks Robert, also, big

thanks to all club members who were able to sell their cards.

There are some special folks that, due to health problems, we need to keep in our

thoughts and prayers: Robert Walker, Less and Peggy Edgar, Helen Yancey, Susan Trotter, Pat

Harmon. Also, friends who have recently lost a member of their family are in our prayers.

They are Buddy & Janie Davis, Buddy Brooks, Larry and Carol Green, Anna Marie & Will

Bogart, and Teresa Davis.

Hope to see you in a square down the road - whooping and hollering and festively dressed

to boot.

Your Swinging Star Reporter,

Kim Peterson

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Wichita Falls Solos It has been a busy last few months for the Solos. Thank you all for all the support, cards,

words of comfort in the loss of Leonard. I am writing an article about him and square dancing

that I hope will be in this newsletter. Since his death I have become President of the Solos

and I have had a lot of help in keeping things going by Winnie Kajs, Sondra Dunn, James

Ingram and others.

The first part of this newsletter will be thank you to all who have been there for the

Solos, to all of you who helped with the sale at Leonard's apartment and those who bought a

big yellow rock to you. Thanks to Martha Painter for having a garage sale at her home two

weekends in a row. We had donations of items from Martha's sister's stuff, Leonard's stuff

and lots of other things. We really did well and the monies from these sales will be donated

to the Solos.

We had our annual fish fry at Sondra and Eddie Dunn's home in October. Thanks to them

for having us and to Dee and Janice for the fish and hush puppies. It was sooo good!

The State's Presidents meeting was a big success and thanks to all of our members for

bringing items for the Hunter's Basket. Sondra and Eddie Dunn put it all together.

Unfortunately the cups that inspired the basket that were in Leonard's apartment were

packed away and didn't make it into the basket.

We had a guest caller Tim Tanner for or October dance and he did a great job. Tim has

really grown and improved as a caller. Thanks Tim!

It is that time again to have mainstream square dance lessons. This year the Solos lessons

will be held at the Wichita Falls Public Library second floor in the 50 Plus Zone Ballroom

starting January 14 through April 14 at 7:30 pm. There will be no charge for the Zone

members and $15 registration fee for others. Non Zone members must register through the

Parks and Recreation Office. If you have friends interested in taking lessons let them know

and any questions ask a Solo.

Levi and Lace Plus Club will have Plus Lessons/ Workshop starting Monday Oct 26 at 7:30

pm. If you have danced Plus before and need to refresh your skills come and join. There is a

$4 fee for each session for everyone. Robert and Pam Walker will be the teachers.

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The Solo Potluck Supper and Workshop will be November 3 and December 1 at 7:00

pm. Dee Roy will workshop both Mainstream and Plus. Everyone is welcome so come bring a

covered dish with food in it and join us. For just $3 per person suggested donation you will

have a great meal and work it off dancing. Hope to see you there.

Our dances will be on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20 AT 8 pm (due to City Lights Parade on

Saturday) and December 19 at 8 pm with Dee Roy calling. Hope to get to dance with you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our square dance friends.

Barbara Standley

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Wranglers Hi, it's me, Tommy Jo! Hope ya'll have been coming to our dances. We've been

having a lot of fun. Dosha has had a fun square-dance "game" for us at all our

dances, and our "Jaws" dance was a treat! Looking forward to seeing you at our next

dances!

Speaking of which...just a reminder...our November dance is Nov. 13th and our

December dance is Dec. 11. In November, we are having a pumpkin

challenge!! Yum!

Scuttlebutt is that Teresa and Susan are looking forward to cruises in the next couple

of months. I guess you may miss our Christmas party at the Bees', always a good

time!

Susan is recuperating from her second foot surgery. And we hope she'll be dancing

with us sometime soon,

SAVE THE DATE!! BRAMLETTPALOOZA will be April 2nd, 2016, so get ready for a

good time.

Congratulations to the new dancers from the Swinging Stars class! Come dance with

us when you can, you're always welcome.

We want to send out condolences to Anna Marie, Will and their family. Anna Marie's

grandmother passed away recently and we send her our prayers.

Those of you who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and thoughts and

prayers to those who are suffering from ills and loses.

As the holiday season draws near, keep your calm and holiday on!

Come dance with us!!

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Looking for some fun companions?

……. Some good, clean recreation?

……. Some low impact exercise?

……. Smoke & Alcohol Free Activity?

HAVE WE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU!!!!!

Lessons on Thursdays starting January 14, 2016

At 7:30 PM at

The Fifty Plus Zone

14 Lessons in series.

You do not need a partner.

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Leonard Lowry and Square Dancing

Leonard was born November 2, 1929 on a farm in Flint, Texas near Tyler. He would tell you

he was just a country boy. He took square dance lessons with the newly-formed Wichita Falls

Solo Square Dance Club in about 1978 although I did not find that diploma so maybe he never

passed as Dee Roy always joked. To say that he enjoyed square dancing would be an under-

statement. If anyone was dancing Leonard was almost always there. He loved his square

dance friends.

Leonard was president of the Wichita Falls Solos 18 times. He served in other offices when

he was not president. He was loyal to the club throughout the some thirty seven years he

danced. He was nearly always the first there and the last to leave. He made sure there were

supplies for the workshops, dances, lessons and any other functions of the club.

Through square dancing Leonard got to travel to places that he would not have if not for his

dancing. Since 1982 he had not missed a Single Square Dance USA Dance-A- Rama. One

year he was recovering from prostate surgery for cancer and he got to go to Boston since he

had his nurse (me) and his physical therapist Sondra Gunther Dunn with him. He traveled to

22 states and the District of Columbia. Some states he went to more than once to a different

city. He square danced many other places including the Pentagon and the Alamo where the

sprinklers came on while dancing. He made many friends at these dances and looked forward

to seeing them each year. This year when one of those friends from Rochester, New York

when he heard of Leonard’s death sent a sympathy card and a donation to the Solos club.

Leonard attended most of the State Festivals from 1980 through 2015 visiting many cities

in Texas. He attended several National Square dance Conventions. He also attended most

Texas Association of Single Square Dancers Round-Up each year and helped with it when it

was here in Wichita Falls in 2008. He attended several Oklahoma State Festivals as well as in

1990 an International Square Dance Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. I wonder why he attended

that one. Do you think it had anything to do with his love of gambling?

Leonard was also very active in RRVA. For years he assembled the newsletter and when we

had many members sorted the newsletters by zip codes and filled out paper work for the Post

Office to mail them. It was not a simple task but he did it with ease. It is much simpler now

weighed them and put a stamp on them. He served as RRVA Second Vice President for two

years.

Leonard is missed by the Wichita Falls Solos Square Dance Club and many other dancers.

Barbara Standley

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